Digging for Dirt (Heavenly Highland Inn Cozy Mystery Book 9) by Cindy Bell Page B

isn’t much more to see in here.”
    “She hadn’t even slept in her bed.” Vicky looked at the perfectly made bed. “We’d better get downstairs, I have a feeling a few guests are going to want to check out.” Vicky headed for the elevator. “We also don’t want to be caught in here.”
    “I’ll be right down, I’m just going to change.” Ida headed for her room.
    Alone in the elevator Vicky thought about the last time she had spoken to Freida. It hadn’t been a very pleasant exchange. She wished that she had been a little kinder to the woman. Perhaps she had been too quick to judge her. Just because she promoted gossip, that didn’t make her a bad person. As Vicky stepped out of the elevator on the ground floor, she felt an increasing sense of dismay. She didn’t want to face the guests who would have plenty of questions.
    As she walked out into the lobby she noticed there were a few people milling about. They seemed to be watching the coroner’s van and gossiping to each other. Vicky caught sight of Monica sitting at a table outside. She was stirring a cup of coffee and staring at the table. Vicky pushed open the glass door and walked quickly over to her.
    “Are you doing okay, Monica?” She sat down beside her at the table.
    “I don’t know.” Monica shook her head. “I just can’t believe this.”
    “Maybe you should go home.” Vicky offered the suggestion gently. “You’ve had quite a shock.”
    “No, it’s better if I keep working.” Monica winced. “Trust me.”
    Vicky raised an eyebrow. “Is something wrong at home, Monica?”
    “No, it’s just I’m so tired, and the baby is very clingy. I think it would just be better if I stayed until I was in a better state of mind.” Monica finally took a sip of her coffee.
    “All right. Whatever feels right to you.” Vicky gave Monica’s hand a light squeeze. She remembered how difficult it was for Sarah with two young kids. The infant stage could be trying at times.
    “Thanks, Vicky.” Monica grasped her cup of coffee tightly. “I just keep thinking about that poor woman. Maybe if I had just…”
    “There is nothing that you could have done, Monica.” Vicky met her eyes with a sympathetic smile. “This was in no way your fault.”
    Monica looked back at her with a guilty frown. “I guess you’re right.” She looked past Vicky towards the front desk. “It looks like someone needs you.”
    Vicky turned to see a couple waiting impatiently at the front desk. “Okay. Let me know if you need anything.”
    “Thanks, Vicky.” Monica took another sip of her coffee.
    Vicky walked inside and over to the front desk. She put on her most pleasant expression and prepared for the worst.
    “How can I help you?” she asked.
    “We would like to check out.” The woman smacked her room key down on the desk. Vicky jumped a little at the sharp sound.
    “I understand. This morning’s events were disturbing.” Vicky used the room number to pull up the identity of the couple. The room was registered under Chandler Millers. “I’ll get you checked out as quickly as possible.”
    “We aren’t leaving because of that,” the woman said with a snooty tone to her voice. “People die you know. That’s just a thing of life. But I can’t believe that you would allow such people to stay in your inn.” She raised her nose into the air.
    “What?” Vicky was confused. “Who do you mean?”
    “I mean that scoundrel, Roman Blade, everyone knows that he is a common criminal. Allowing him to stay here with his deceitful campaign manager is like promoting him and his campaign. When I heard that he was staying here I told my Chandler that we had to go right away.”
    Chandler, who had yet to speak, lowered his eyes. Vicky grimaced. “We haven’t endorsed anyone for governor.” Vicky did her best to explain in a neutral tone.
    “Like I said, renting him a room is the same as endorsing him. We will not stand for it.”
    Vicky narrowed her eyes.